Michael Bartholemy clarifies that his role at Marc VDS isn’t in danger

Michael Bartholemy has his position as Marc VDS’s team leader as assured this monday in a statement following rumors about a disagreement with owner Marc van der Straten. At stake would be allegations of mismanagement of Marc VDS resources.

In the note issued, Bartholemy said: ‘Allegations of financial impropriety were made against me personally during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Jerez. These allegations were made not directly, but via the press. Since these allegations were made against me in my role of Team Principal of the Marc VDS Racing Team, I rejected the allegations unreservedly and vowed to defend against them robustly’.

And proceeded: ‘That remains my clear position. For this matter to be resolved at the earliest opportunity, I have made repeated requests through my legal representatives for evidence to be provided in relation to the unfounded allegations. I wish to make it clear that no evidence has been forthcoming from Mr Marc van der Straten or his legal team. Furthermore, they informed us that journalists falsely reported Mr Marc van der Straten’s declarations’.

He then stated that his contract isn’t in doubt at the moment: ‘I would also like to make it clear that Mr van der Straten and his legal team have confirmed that there has been no termination of contract. Finally, they have made no communication informing me that I am no longer responsible for managing the Marc VDS Racing Team as Team Principal in future’.

Bartholemy also said that a meeting had been canceled to discuss the matter after presenting several options to resolve it, so he believes that is a sign that the subject is past: ‘I received a request for a meeting on Monday May 14 […] which I confirmed that I would attend. At Friday May 11 that meeting was cancelled without any content-related explanation and with no indication that the meeting would be rescheduled. For me, this action can only be interpreted in one way; that all such allegations are off the table now. I will therefore be attending this weekend’s French MotoGP™ round in Le Mans to continue as Team Principal of the Marc VDS Racing Team, with all my dedication for the team’.